The 10th annual GISS Inside Ride event generated $5,500 for the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation (CCACF),
which raises needed funds for childhood cancer charities whose programs
support children fighting the disease and their families. During the
sponsored event, staff and students participated on 13 teams of six
people each. Participants took turns riding their team’s stationary bike
over a two-hour period. Each team member had to raise a minimum of $50
each – or $300 per team – to take part. This year’s fundraising total
was 10 per cent higher than the school’s target of $5,000. Over the
course of 10 years, the school has raised more than $62,000 for the
charity.

On top of the fundraising total, what also made the event
special was that it was dedicated to McKenna Modler, a cancer survivor
at GISS who has helped raised a significant sum for cancer research in
her own right.

“I think it was a really successful event,” said
Dawn Morency, a teacher at the school who helped co-ordinate the
fundraiser. “It’s a lot of fun for our kids and it’s great to see the
interaction between teachers and our students. It was wonderful because
we were supporting one of our own, and we were also reaching out to help
others in the community.”

Students who participated in the
fundraiser said it was worthwhile because it drew attention to the need
to help families of childhood cancer victims, who are not only worried
about a loved one, but must also deal with the financial strain posed by
trips to treatment sessions, often at distant, specialized hospitals.
While treatment is paid for by the government, costs such as travel,
meals on the road and lost wages due to time off work can add up.

Gabby
Sebrango is a Grade 11 student who rode as part of the “Cancer
Busters,” a Ghostbusters-style team that dressed in white plastic
overalls, each member wearing a cancer victim remembrance ribbon.

“People
don’t realize how much financial stress is put on the families of these
kids thinking about the money needed to fight this disease,” said
Sebrango. “I think it’s important that people realize the money involved
… and that it (CCACF) is a very worthwhile cause.”